Cornish Pirates Match Day Programme

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WELCOME

WHAT A WONDERFUL OLD RIVALRY WE ARE SET TO ENJOY THIS WEEKEND AS OUR PREMIERSHIP RUGBY CUP CAMPAIGN CONTINUES AGAINST OUR NEAREST NEIGHBOURS.

The battles between the Exeter Chiefs and Cornish Pirates hark back to evocative memories of the County Ground in full song, when Rob Baxter wasn’t wearing a suit in the stands but running across the turf, following in the footsteps of his father and uncle in Exeter colours. It is a local derby that resonates with fans across the South West, as the best of Devon take on the best of Cornwall and over many generations, victory in this match has been coveted by fans on both sides of the Tamar.

While we are incredibly proud of the heights our club has reached since those days, it’s important that we remember the foundations upon which we are built, and those battles against the Pirates and many other rivals through the National Leagues were pivotal in creating the team which eventually achieved promotion to the Premiership and beyond.

There are a great deal of talented players and coaches who ply their trade in the Championship, and our connection with the Cornish Pirates has afforded players the opportunity to develop themselves in an incredibly competitive and challenging arena. Many of the biggest names to have played for the Exeter Chiefs in recent years also wore the red and black of the Pirates and we owe a great deal to the link between our two organisations.

Among the crop of young talent who are making a name for themselves in our current first team squad, are the likes of Tommy Wyatt. While he may be a new face to the Chiefs family, Pirates fans have been enjoying watching Tommy honing his craft on the Mennaye for the past few seasons, and it is clear the calibre of player he has become during his time there.

Today, however, there will be no doubting where the battle lines are drawn, and despite our many bonds, once the players cross that whitewash, they will only be thinking about performing for their team.

We were thrilled to get our campaign off to such a strong start, with a superb victory over the Bristol Bears in the sunshine last weekend. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the players who made their debuts for the Chiefs, and I hope it was a proud moment for all of you to run out at Sandy Park for the first time.

It was wonderful to see the exuberance of youth, with the Chiefs keen to play positive, attacking rugby and I have no doubt that Rob and the other coaches will be excited by the ambition and skill that we saw in that excellent performance.

To all the Cornish Pirates fans who have made the journey north, a very warm welcome to Sandy Park. I hope you enjoy your day and the shortest away trip of the season. It promises to be a wonderful occasion and a great battle between two excellent teams.

TONY ROWE CBE

CEO AND CHAIRMAN

EXETER RUGBY CLUB

ROB BAXTER OBE

WELCOME BACK TO SANDY PARK FOR OUR SECOND GAME IN THE PREMIERSHIP RUGBY CUP WHERE WE FACE OUR LONG-TIME FIERCE RIVALS, BUT ALSO GOOD FRIENDS, IN THE FORM OF THE CORNISH PIRATES.

For me personally, it seems like just the blink of an eye since I was playing against the Pirates in the Championship with both teams knocking lumps out of each other for local bragging rights but also because we were both chasing promotion to the Premiership.

There were seasons when we led the chase but more when the Pirates did, and really it wasn’t until we moved to Sandy Park that we got the foundations properly in place for that last push. Even so it took us several seasons and several defeats by the Pirates before we finally had our promotion season.

Now we find ourselves in different leagues with different year on year objectives. I am sure the fire still burns bright in Penzance for the next step to the Premiership but as anyone who follows rugby knows, that rightly or wrongly, that last step has become increasingly difficult.

We now have a very strong and hopefully mutually beneficial relationship with the Pirates where two men I used to play against now help hugely with the development of not only some of our academy players, but also many other players who go on to play Premiership rugby.

Gavin Cattle and Alan Paver have done an excellent job now for many seasons building teams that are always competitive, and I hope their coaching journey gives them everything they deserve. We now face them once again in a competitive situation and I am sure we are all looking forward to a real local derby!

Last Saturday, we started our competitive season with a good performance against Bristol. I am aware it wasn’t a strong Bristol team, but the most pleasing thing was watching the players drive our training focuses onto the field and playing with pace and energy, and, of course, excitement.

There was also a genuine buzz around the ground before the game and I have the feeling that our supporters will really embrace the endeavours of this young and exciting team across the season. We had the biggest crowd in the competition last weekend and hopefully we can repeat that again today and enjoy everything about the experience that a big day at Sandy Park can be.

ROB BAXTER OBE DIRECTOR OF RUGBY

TUTTOSI LOOKING FORWARD TO INTERNATIONAL CLASH ON ‘HOME’ SOIL

SANDY PARK WILL HOST CANADA’S WOMEN FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME AS PART OF A TWO-MATCH TOUR TO PREPARE BOTH SIDES FOR THE INAUGURAL WXV COMPETITION THAT WILL TAKE PLACE IN NEW ZEALAND THIS OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER.

For Exeter Chiefs’ hooker Emily Tuttosi, this will be a chance to play for her home nation at the ground that has been her home for the last three seasons.

Called up to the Canadian squad earlier this month, she will hopefully join fellow Chiefs team-mates DaLeaka Menin and Alex Tessier to face the Red Roses. This is the first time the two sides have come face-to-face since the Red Roses clinched a 26-19 victory in the Rugby World Cup 2021 semifinal at Eden Park.

The former Canada U20s captain said: “Every time we get together it feels like Christmas! In fact, I get more excited about these games than I do about Christmas.

“And this is an incredible opportunity for me to play for my home team at my home club; it does not happen very often, but it will be weird being in the away changing room.

“It’s huge that Canada can have these two competitive games against England in the run-up to the WXV.”

Despite the better-than-Christmas circumstances, Tuttosi is still keeping her head down and working hard for her country: “My goal is to just keep training and playing the best I can for the squad and hopefully that will take me to the next World Cup, which is also in England.”

Tickets for the match next Saturday 23 September - KO 14:30 - are from just £10 for adults and £5 for juniors. Get yours here: https://tickethub.exeterchiefs.co.uk/

WORLD CUP RUN OUTS FOR CHIEFS STARS

Both Georgia’s Nika Abuladze and Wales’s Dafydd Jenkins got run outs in the first weekend of the Rugby World Cup 2023.

Prop Abuladze started Georgia’s game against Australia, which saw the second-tier side put up a valiant fight against the Wallabies to lose 35-15. Abuladze got 52 minutes in front of the Stade de France crowd in Paris. Meanwhile, lock Jenkins was involved in one of the games of the weekend when he came on as replacement at 58

minutes just as Wales were battling to keep the lid on a lively Fiji side at the Stade be Bourdeaux. A heart-in-mouth fumble as the clock went red from Fiji’s Semi Radradra meant Wales came away 32-26 winners and moved up the World Rugby Men’s Rankings by two places to eighth.

England’s win over Argentina also saw them move up two places to sixth behind leaders Ireland, South Africa, France, New Zealand and Scotland.

NEW FACES ON EXETER CHIEFS WOMEN’S COACHING TEAM

Exeter Chiefs Women’s head coach Susie Appleby has welcomed five new faces to the management team in the summer.

Ben Martin has joined as assistant coach while Cat Moore and Jackie Coles are the new team managers. Jade Konigkramer has been recruited as strength & conditioning coach and Ken Kabongo as the team physio.

Martin has joined Chiefs having been director of rugby and head coach at Blackrock College RFC in Dublin. Having previously represented Australia 7s, Munster Rugby

and UL Bohemians at 15s as a player, Martin has coached several teams, both men’s and women’s, including Kanturk and UL Bohemians. He has also coached the Munster Senior Women’s side in the 2010s and the Irish U18s 7s side.

Appleby said: “Ben impressed with his professionalism, his knowledge and understanding of our squad, and has coached in the women’s game in Ireland very successfully. He brings expertise in attack, backs play, and kicking strategy.

“He has settled in really well and we are looking forward to sharing ideas and taking our collective coaching to the next level.”

Exeter Chiefs Women kick-off their 2023/24 campaign against Worcester Warriors in the Allianz Cup next Sunday and are back at Sandy Park on Sunday 1 October - KO 3pm - against Bristol Bears.

NEW FACE IN THE COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT

THE SUMMER IS ALWAYS A BUSY TIME FOR NEW PLAYER SIGNINGS BUT THE OFFICE STAFF AT EXETER CHIEFS HAVE ALSO BEEN HARD AT WORK BEHIND THE SCENES WITH THE RECRUITMENT OF NEW CORPORATE SALES MANAGER CHARLIE DUNN.

Responsible for boosting the budget of the club, Charlie arrived as Sandy Park with significant sales experience in the software industry in London, but has now settled in the South West to work with Exeter Chiefs.

Aside from perimeter and digital signage, match sponsorships, VIP hospitality, and much more, one of Charlie’s top priorities will be player sponsorship.

This really is a unique opportunity to associate a business brand with some of our excellent sporting ambassadors. With both men’s and women’s team players and coaches available for sponsorship, you can tailor your sponsorship to your needs, whether you want to use them in an advert, for a visit to your office to boost staff morale, to support a charitable cause you are backing, etc. If you have an idea for how you would want to use your chosen player or coach, Charlie would love to hear it!

This is an incredibly affordable way to expose your brand to an engaged audience and to amplify your messaging, with a range of benefits, including:

• Branding on the official Exeter Chiefs website

• Branding via the club’s big screens on match-days alongside the player/coach’s photo

• Branding in each Exeter Chiefs match-day programme and during the match-day announcement

• Two player appearances in the season (subject to training schedule)

• Invitation to Meet the Player sponsors' event

• Signed shirt/shirts presented by sponsored player/players

• Image rights of the player or players for external use

Prices start from £1,000 for the 2023/24 season, excluding VAT. Among the men’s squad still available are internationals Jonny Gray, Rory O’Loughlin and Scott Sio, plus some of our best homegrown talent, including Exeter-born Marcus Street, plus Danny Southworth, Max Norey and Greg Fisilau.

POSITION: CENTRE

HEIGHT: 1.85M (6FT 1IN)

WEIGHT: 93KG (14ST 9LBS)

PREMIERSHIP

AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE PREMIERSHIP AND

CHAMPIONSHIP CLUBS CLASH AT COMPETITION LEVEL FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS.

And today’s Championship opposition will be familiar to Tom Wyatt having plied his trade with the Cornishmen for three seasons with a dual registration.

Wyatt made 49 appearances for Pirates in that time, so will be coming up against many former teammates in today’s game, as well as trying to catch the eye of the Chiefs coaches to be considered for more game-time in the Premiership and the European Champions Cup. But Wyatt was not always keen on the professional rugby route. If it had not been for his mum’s insistence, he may not have followed a sporting pathway at all.

Wyatt comes from a well-established farming background and loves nothing better than to head into the woods in his spare time for a spot of shooting. His dad though played for Wiveliscombe RFC and Wyatt followed suit, as well as turning out for Taunton School, where he went on to captain the first XV.

The centre played his first season of senior rugby with North Petherton RFC alongside former Chiefs winger Nic Sestaret. This relationship ended up with Wyatt being invited to play in representative games as part of Exeter’s outreach programme, which led to training full time with Chiefs, making a couple of appearances for the Braves, and signing a contract with the Premiership club…just!

He said: “I was not going to sign a contract, but my mum made me! I was working for a welding firm at the time and was really enjoying it. But I am glad I did it now!”

When Wyatt first joined Chiefs he went on loan to Taunton, whom he helped to win the National Two South title in 2019/20, and then went up several levels to play for Pirates. Now though, he is not on loan to any club and is eyeing a regular spot in the senior Chiefs squad.

THE

RUGBY CUP HAS GIFTED

I WAS NOT GOING TO SIGN A CONTRACT, BUT MY MUM MADE ME! I WAS WORKING FOR A WELDING FIRM AT THE TIME AND WAS REALLY ENJOYING IT. BUT I AM GLAD I DID IT NOW!.

“My goal is to keep playing in the Premiership and in Europe; just keep my head down, work hard and not get injured!”

Wyatt offers a valuable versatility when it comes to selection. He played on the wing (and scored a try) in the pre-season friendly against Bristol two weeks ago, however, the Exeter Chiefs website bills him as a centre, but he is also comfortable at full-back and cites Exeter Chiefs’ original Phil Dollman as one of his rugby heroes.

When it comes to his favoured position, Wyatt says: “I am not too fussed, as long as I am on the pitch!”

And Wyatt should feature this afternoon to extend his experience in the Premiership Rugby Cup. This opening part of the season is dominated by the new cup format and it will be fascinating to see how the Premiership clubs treat these games. Especially, interesting for Chiefs who have only given up three players to the Rugby World Cup.

These pre-season and Premiership Rugby Cup weeks are crucial building blocks for when the regular season begins in October.

Wyatt concluded: “We have had a good preseason; I mean it was tough, there’s no point saying it’s nice! I think it’s really good that we are playing Championship sides. It’s great they have been included.

“This first block will be looking at more development of our squad. We have not played together a lot at all. It’s a good chance for us to develop as a side and get a good relationship going.”

WE HAVE NOT PLAYED TOGETHER A LOT AT ALL. IT’S A GOOD CHANCE FOR US TO DEVELOP AS A SIDE AND GET A GOOD RELATIONSHIP GOING.

2023•24 CUP KIT

Simply scan the QR code to browse online, straight from your seat!

EXETERCHIEFSSTORE.CO.UK SHOP THE NEW KIT IN JUST A FEW CLICKS!

Whether online or in person, don’t miss your chance to shop the new season merchandise while you’re here - visit our store today!

TONY WALKER

TEAM MANAGER

ROB GIBSON

ACADEMY MANAGER

ADRIAN HARRIS

DIRECTOR OF SPORTS

MEDICINE

JAMIE FULTON

HEAD OF MEDICAL SERVICES

STEVE HAW

SENIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST

SCOTT MUNRO

SENIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST

EXETER CHIEFS

SHANE O’HANRAHAN

LEAD ACADEMY PHYSIOTHERAPIST

JONNY MARKS

ACADEMY PHYSIOTHERAPIST

ROB SHEEHAN

UNIVERSITY PHYSIOTHERAPIST

DAN FEASY

JUNIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST

ANDY DAVIES

SPORTS REHABILITATOR

SHANE O’HANRAHAN

SENIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST

LOUISE PASSMORE MEDICAL SECRETARY

JOHN GARMIN

CLUB DOCTOR

MARK TWIGGS

HEAD OF STRENGTH & CONDITIONING

ROB BEDDARD

SENIOR STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

NICK COX

SENIOR STRENGTH & CONDITIONING REHABILITATOR

LES BARROW

SENIOR STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

JAMIE NEMMER-THAYER

UNIVERSITY HEAD STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

JACK PERRY

UNIVERSITY STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

ROB BAXTER OBE DIRECTOR OF RUGBY

OMAR MOUNEIMNE DEFENCE COACH

RICKY PELLOW SKILLS COACH

HAYDN THOMAS SENIOR COACH

ROSS MCMILLAN SCRUM COACH

GARETH STEENSON SENIOR COACH

ALI HEPHER HEAD COACH

ROB HUNTER FORWARDS COACH

JAMES GILLESPIE

Welcome to Focus Group

Established in 2003, Focus Group is proud to be one of the UK’s leading independent providers of essential business technology and delighted to be the new main sponsor of Exeter Chiefs’ women’s team.

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Delivering innovative solutions to keep businesses connected, we’re here to take care of all your telecoms, connectivity, IT solutions, cyber security and mobile services. Meaning all your essential business technology in one place.

Renowned service

No matter the technology, the expertise of our team is second to none. We’re a focused team of experts who care about you and the future of your business. We’re here to help your business shine.

Award-winning partnerships

Our long-standing partnerships, preferential agreements, awards and accreditations with leading suppliers across the technology sector are testament to the commitment we have to delivering best-in-class products, solutions and services to your business.

15. JOSH HODGE

14. BEN HAMMERSLEY

13. TOM HENDRICKSON

12. OLLIE DEVOTO

11. TOM WYATT

10. WILL HAYDON-WOOD

9. TOM CAIRNS

1. SCOTT SIO

2. DAN FROST

3. EHREN PAINTER

4. RUSI TUIMA

5. LEWIS PEARSON

6. ETHAN ROOTS (C)

7. JACQUES VERMEULEM

8. ROSS VINTCENT

REPS

16. JACK YEANDLE 17. BILLY KEAST

18. JOSH IOSEFA-SCOTT 19. JACK DUNNE

20. AIDON DAVIS 21. NIALL ARMSTRONG

22. HARVEY SKINNER 23. JOE HAWKINS

15. KYLE MOYLE

14. WILL TREWIN

13. IOAN EVANS

12. JOE ELDERKIN

11. ARTHUR RELTON

10. IWAN JENKINS

9. RUARIDH DAWSON

1. LEFTY ZIGIRIADIS

2. MORGAN NELSON

3. MARLEN WALKER

4. WILL BRITTON

5. STEELE BARKER

6. ALEX EVERETT

7. WILL GIBSON

8. JOHN STEVENS (C)

REPS

16. OLI BURROWS 17. FIN RICHARDSON

18. JACK ANDREW 19. JOSH KING

20. HARRY DUGMORE 21. ALEX SCHWARZ

22. TOM PITTMAN 23. DAN JOHN

TODAY’S OFFICIALS:

REFEREE: SIMON HARDING

ASSISTANT REFEREES: DAN JONES, GARETH HOLSGROVE

FOURTH OFFICIAL: KEVIN WILLIAMS

TIMEKEEPER: ERIC BULLION

CORNISH PIRATES ARE KEEN TO PUT THE ‘AAARGH’ IN RUGBY AND WE’VE GOT NO ISSUES WITH THAT! WE ARE EXCITED TO WELCOME OUR SOUTH WEST NEIGHBOURS TO SANDY PARK TODAY AS OUR RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OUR TWO CLUBS HAS BEEN A LONG ONE WITH PLAYERS RECRUITED FROM THE MENNAYE FIELD AND OTHERS LOANED TO THEM TO GAIN THE EXPERIENCE OF REGULAR COMPETITIVE RUGBY.

The Royal Navy has also provided utility back Jorgan Gott and hooker Rhys Williams. Gott featured for Belgium in the Rugby Europe Championship and earlier for England U18s Clubs and Schools. He played for Taunton Titans and Plymouth Albion, as well as representing the UK Armed Forces and the Royal Navy at both 15s and sevens.

While Williams played for Bangor, and later for Bethesda and then Rygbi Gogledd Cymru. He also proudly represented the Royal Navy side that defeated the Army at Twickenham in May.

Former full-back/wing Kyle Moyle has come back to Cornwall having made 43 appearances for Gloucester since November 2020. He will be hoping to increase his 136 appearances for the Cornish Pirates on his return.

Wales U20s and Cardiff centre Ioan Evans, Zimbabwean wing/centre Matt McNab, former Jersey Red fly-half/centre Tom Pittman have also made the move to the Mennaye Field, along with four players - Harry Dugmore (back-row),

Tom Georgiou (centre/full-back), Eparama Rokodrava (wing), and Lefty Zigiriadis (prop) - on loan from Ealing Trailfinders.

After a 2022/23 season that saw Pirates finish in fifth place in the Championship with 13 wins out of 22, they have set themselves up nicely for this season with two wins - home and away - against Plymouth Albion.

Today marks the second weekend of the new-look Premiership Rugby Cup that sees Premiership clubs pitted against Championship sides. It’s a great giant killing opportunity for the Championship sides and hark back to the eras of the old Tetley’s Bitter Cup, and if you can remember back that far, the Pilkington Cup!

Cornish Pirates entertained Bath Rugby at the Mennaye Field last Friday night, resulting in a narrow 23-29 loss despite tries from dual-registered Ben Grubb, plus Will Trewin and Moyle. Today’s game promises to be a great encount-aaargh.

PIRATES HAVE BOLSTERED THEIR RANKS FOR THIS SEASON WITH SCOTLAND U18S LOCK/BACK-ROW JOHN KING JOINING THE FRAY HAVING PLAYED FOR BIGGAR, BOROUGHMUIR BEARS AND EDINBURGH A.

GAVIN CATTLE & ALAN PAVER

We have two in the mix this week with Gavin Cattle and Alan Paver heading to Sandy Park to try to put one over their South West neighbours.

Cattle began his playing career with Pirates in the 2004/05 season. He went on to captain the side, including a certain EDF Energy National Trophy win against Exeter Chiefs at Twickenham in 2007.

Cattle then moved to Scarlets, where he made 31 appearances, including a Heineken Cup win against Stade Francais, before heading back to Cornwall in 2009. This season saw Pirates emerge as first ever winners of the British & Irish Cup in 2010, beating Munster 23-14 in the final.

Cattle’s final games tally was 211. Along with Alan Paver, Cattle was appointed a co-coach in 2016.

JOINT HEAD COACHES: ONE TO WATCH: RUARIDH DAWSON

Paver headed west to Penzance & Newlyn RFC from Plymouth Albion in June 2002. A great student of front-row play, he had joined the Devon side in 1999, having previously played for Vale of Lune.

Paver also featured in the EDF Energy National Trophy final. Paver was appointed as forwards coach to the England Counties XV that played two matches in Georgia in 2014 and appointed player/coach at the Cornish Pirates in the same year. Paver ended his playing career in 2018 with an impressive 360 appearances.

Ruaridh Dawson first signed for the Cornish Pirates in 2019. The young scrum half began his rugby journey as a student at Newcastle School for Boys and at Blaydon RFC, before joining from Newcastle Falcons.

Having featured for the Falcons’ first team during 2015/16 pre-season, including an appearance in the Premiership, Dawson went on to play for Scotland U20s, for whom he qualified through his parents.

When he rejoined Pirates at the start of last season, co-coach Gavin Cattle said: “Still young, he is a very good player who, with growth and ability to learn, undoubtedly has the potential to climb the same trajectory and step up another level.

“We have seen in recent Championship Cup games what he can do and what he has to offer, including leadership, and very sharp he has displayed a skill set that has never been doubted.”

Dawson started against Bath last weekend to take his Pirates appearance tally to 42. No doubt, he will relish today’s South West derby!

1. First team you played rugby for?

Cullompton RFC

2. First influential coach?

Rob Gibson (Chiefs Academy Manager)

3. Have you played in any other position?

No – always a tight-head prop

4. Rugby hero/inspiration?

Owen Franks - All Blacks tighthead prop

5. First professional game?

Worcester at home

– weird game with a 5-6 scoreline!

6. Best rugby memory?

That first Premiership game against Worcester

7. Rugby best friends?

Billy Keast and Sean Lonsdale

8. Honours

England U20s and U18s

9. Favourite takeaway?

Fried chicken from Eat The Bird in Exeter

10. Favourite book?

I read to my daughter and my favourite is Dear Zoo

11. Sports teams you follow away from rugby?

I have started following football but no particular team

12. Tea or coffee?

Coffee – flat white

13. Last thing you listened to?

I like podcasts – last one was The Fellas

14. Favourite film?

Happy Gilmore – I reckon if I had to watch films featuring one actor for the rest of my life, they would be Adam Sandler films

WE CAUGHT UP WITH MARCUS STREET TO ASK THE 15 DEEP AND MEANINGFUL QUESTIONS YOU’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO ASK!

PREMIERSHIP RUGBY CUP ROUND-UP

WEEK ONE

LAST WEEKEND SAW THE VERY FIRST ACTION OF THE NEW-LOOK PREMIERSHIP RUGBY CUP WHERE TOP TIER AND CHAMPIONSHIP SIDES PLAYED AGAINST EACH OTHER TO ADD A LITTLE BIT OF EXCITEMENT TO THE COMPETITION. WE WITNESSED CHAMPIONSHIP VICTORIES OVER PREMIERSHIP SIDES WITH EALING TRAILFINDERS BEATING NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 48-22 AND COVENTRY WINNING AGAINST LAST SEASON’S LEAGUE CHAMPIONS SARACENS.

A brace from Ealing’s Nathan Earle added to tries from Simon Uzokwe, Dan O’Brien, Mike Willemse, Matt Cornish, Cian Kelleher and Jonah Holmes to see off their youthful Midlands visitors.

Coventry’s 28-14 win saw two tries in each half to stun Saracens in front of a record crowd at the Butts Park Arena. Hooker Suva Ma’asi and centre Will Wand crossed before half-time with Ryan Hutler then scoring a debut try before fly-half Pat Pellegrini rounded things off in the final seconds.

Exeter Chiefs took the highest score of the weekend with 75-0 against Bristol Bears, with Harlequins taking 54 over Hartpury RFC, and Sale 47 over Bedford Blues.

In Chiefs’ pool, London Scottish lost 0-43 at home to Jersey Reds and Bath beat Cornish Pirates 23-29 at the Mernaye Field. However, Pirates were the only losing side to pick up a bonus point.

The only other Championship v Championship fixture saw Doncaster the victors over Cambridge with a 38-11 scoreline.

This means three Premiership sides – Harlequins, Leicester Tigers and Exeter Chiefs – top pools

A, B and C, with Doncaster leading the way in pool D care of a solitary points difference point over Ealing.

With pools C and D only having five teams compared to six, these teams will play cross-pool matches, with Chiefs game against Bristol last weekend being theirs.

NEXT WEEKS FIXTURES

COMMUNITY CHIEFS NEWS!

AS PROMISED LAST WEEK, WE WANTED TO UPDATE YOU ON OUR FIRST-EVER RESIDENTIAL RUGBY CAMP AT THE PICTURESQUE BLUNDELL’S SCHOOL IN TIVERTON IN AUGUST.

The event brought together 60 young men, aged between 13 and 16, for an unforgettable threeday rugby experience. Attendees arrived, not just from the South West, but also from various international locations, making it a diverse and enriching convergence of young talent.

From the moment the camp began, the energy and enthusiasm were palpable. Young athletes showcased remarkable dedication, whether during drills or fiercely competitive matches, leaving spectators and coaches equally thrilled.

Adding a flourish to an already successful month, the Community Chiefs organised a girls-only camp at Exeter Athletic RFC. This empowering event drew around 50 girls, ranging from U12s to U18s, and offered them a platform to explore and excel in the game of rugby.

The girls-only camp was graced by the presence of Exeter Chiefs Women’s players, Ebony Jeffries, Rachel Johnson, and Poppy Leitch. Not only did these top-tier athletes make guest appearances, but they also actively participated in coaching sessions, sharing their expertise and life experiences with eager young players.

The positive impact of these camps goes far beyond just skill development. They serve as an inspiration for young athletes, providing them with role models to aspire towards and demonstrating that opportunities in rugby exist for everyone, regardless of gender or background.

After a successful month of camps, the Community Chiefs are looking forward to building upon this legacy. With plans already in motion for future camps and initiatives, it’s clear that the Community Chiefs are committed to nurturing and inspiring the next generation of rugby talent in the South West and beyond.

The athletes left the camp inspired, not just by their own achievements but by the bonds they formed with their peers. Many expressed how the experience had invigorated their love for the sport and fuelled their ambition to take their game to the next level. Parents and guardians were equally appreciative, noting the immense value that such a well-organised, intensive camp brings to these young players’ lives.

While the inaugural residential camp at Blundell’s was the marquee event, it wasn’t the only success story for the Community Chiefs this summer. The Train Like A Chief Camps, aimed at both boys and girls, were met with overwhelming enthusiasm, attracting more than 380 participants from various corners of the South West.

ONE OF THE STANDOUT FEATURES OF THE CAMP WAS THE INTENSIVE, POSITION-SPECIFIC COACHING PROVIDED BY A CADRE OF HIGHLY QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS. THESE TARGETED TRAINING SESSIONS HONED SKILLS TO AN UNPRECEDENTED LEVEL, SETTING THE STAGE FOR SOME JAW-DROPPING PLAYS.

Firstly, we are pleased to reveal that the KingsCare League of Friends has boosted their fleet of vehicles to support its volunteer car services, following a grant awarded by us.

KingsCare has been running a volunteer car service since 1997 to take people to doctor and hospital appointments, but also to social activities, such as memory café sessions, craft and game mornings, lunch clubs, and swimming groups. The charity’s aim is to improve the quality of life of those in need within its community, which encompasses Kingsteignton to Newton Abbot and the surrounding villages.

Fundraising manager Sarah Lakey contacted the Exeter Chiefs Foundation when it became clear the organisation needed an extra vehicle due to an annual 150% increase in demand, especially from clients with reduced mobility. She said: “One thing that we hate doing is saying ‘no’ to a client in a wheelchair. This grant will provide the additional funds required to purchase a vehicle that is fit for purpose and to lessen the times we have to say ‘no’.

“This vehicle will enable us to work with and support more members of our community and help them address social isolation and loneliness. We know, as we move into winter, more people will face food and fuel poverty and, as a result, will struggle with their mental health.

Exeter Chiefs Foundation trustee Marc Astley said: “We are delighted to be able to help KingsCare purchase this vehicle. Their application made it very clear how important it is for their clients to be able to leave their home, so they do not feel forgotten and invisible to the world outside their front door.

“This vehicle will give KingsCare the ability to support their clients in wheelchairs without impacting the capacity of other bigger vehicles that can accommodate wheelchairs but at the expense of seat numbers.

“With this extra vehicle added to their fleet, KingsCare will be able to achieve more to benefit the elderly population it serves.”

Secondly, we would like to introduce you to today’s bucket collectors, Vranch House, and give a shout out to Exeter Athletic RFC, who are manning the car parks today.

Vranch House is an independent day school for children aged two to 19 with significant complex physical difficulties, such as visual and/or hearing impairment, multi-sensory impairment, speech, language and communication needs, severe, multiple and profound learning needs or complex medical needs. Vranch House strives to make a difference to their pupils’ lives, some of which are very short due to life limiting conditions, meaning every day needs to be meaningful and fun.

Vranch House is also a therapy centre providing clinical services for young people with a wide range of physical difficulties from mild to very complex. We treat 2,000-plus outpatients annually with services that include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and music therapy.

THE GAMES ARE COMING THICK AND FAST THIS MONTH, WHICH GIVES US PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITY TO UPDATE YOU WITH NEWS FROM THE EXETER CHIEFS FOUNDATION.

“Knowing you can get to a medical appointment is one way that will help to alleviate stress and being able to go out for the day or to a planned social activity within a supportive group will help with mental health.”

MATCH REPORT

PREMIERSHIP RUGBY CUP - SATURDAY 9 SEPTEMBER

Tries: Vermeulen (2), Cairns (2), Slade, Hodge, Postlethwaite, Hammersley, Frost, Roots, Vintcent Cons: Slade (8), Skinner (2)

BRISTOL BEARS V EXETER CHIEFS

MATCH STATS

TOP PERFORMERS

11 160 11

12 7 123 4

11 7 67 2

Exeter Chiefs: Hodge; Hammersley, Slade (Hendrickson 57mins), Hawkins (Haydon-Wood 61mins), Wyatt; Skinner, Cairns (Armstrong 52mins); Sio (Keast 50mins), Yeandle (c) (Frost 50mins), Painter (Schickerling 50mins), Postlethwaite. (R Tuima 55mins), Pearson, Roots (Vintcent 61mins), Vermeulen, Fisilau.

Bristol Bears: Jones (Baker 63mins); Campbell-Wu (Hamid 28mins), Ascherl, Power, Boshoff; Worsley, Wolstenholme (Lennon 52mins); Turner (Sims 44mins), Davies (c), Benz-Salomon (Halliwell 66mins), Caulfield, Owen, Taylor, Duncan (Harvey 21mins), Pearce.

Referee: S Cox Attendance: 8,353

RUGBY SHORTS

PIRATES FEEL THE PRESSURE

The NHS teamed up with the Cornish Pirates to offer free blood pressure checks at the Mennaye Field before last Friday evening’s game versus Bath Rugby to mark national Know Your Numbers! Week.

Cornish Pirates players and staff members had their blood pressure tested earlier in the day before inviting supporters to do the same.

High blood pressure causes two thirds of strokes and almost half of all heart attacks. More than 6 million people across the UK have it and many are not aware, yet it is one of the most preventable and treatable conditions. It also rarely has symptoms that you can notice, so the only way to find out is to be tested. That’s why NHS Cornwall ICB have started its year-long mission to get more people identified and treated.

Simon Edwards, the Pirates’ head physiotherapist said: “When NHS Cornwall approached us, we knew we wanted to get involved as older men in the 40 to 74 age range are one of the biggest undiagnosed groups for high blood pressure. If people get checked and take action, we could prevent 503 heart attacks and 749 strokes across the southwest. That’s important.”

It is worthy to note that a local pharmacy can take readings for free, and many GP surgeries have a blood pressure machine in the waiting room. Anyone who has had a recent blood pressure reading can also use the NHS check your blood pressure tool to understand what the numbers mean and what to do next.

KINGSBRIDGE GIRLS HEAD TO SEVENS TRAINING CAMP

Seven young women from Kingsbridge RFC headed to Bishop Wordsworth School in Salisbury for their first in-season training sessions for Ultimate Rugby Sevens’ National Sevens Academy last weekend.

The Kingsbridge girls – U18s Amelia Benfield, Connie Eastwood, Alice Gray, Scarlett Murgatroyd, Maggie Moore, and DD Stilwell, plus U16s Georgia Berryman – had already take part in a residential camp in August and were all part of the Kingsbridge Community College team that won last season’s U16s girls title in the Rossyln Park National Schools Sevens. The ambition behind Ultimate Rugby Sevens is to create a vehicle to develop the next generation of young sevens players up to the World Series and the Olympics.

Under the leadership of Tom Burwell, the National Sevens Academy was launched in 2013 and was the first of its kind in the UK. The Academy is now established as the most advanced performance Academy in the UK for the Olympic sport of rugby sevens.

ARNOTT STARS FOR CREDITON

Former Exeter Chiefs, Cornish Pirates and, latterly, Taunton winger Jack Arnott marked his Crediton debut with a try hat-trick on the first weekend of the rugby season.

Arnott scored the first and last tries as Crediton ground out a 37-24 Regional Two South West division win over a Truro side that proved tough to break down.

WE WANT YOUR RUGBY CLUB’S NEWS!

As seen above, we would like to shake this page up a bit this season and would like to share some stories and photos from local rugby clubs too.

Please send us updates on standout results, new players, new coaches, milestone appearances, clubhouse developments, county or national call-ups, etc. and photos to rugbyshorts@exeterchiefs.co.uk.

Please share this request with team managers, administrators and coaches at your club so we can hear about what you have been up to and extend our rugby family.

FROM THE PRESS BOX

TODAY’S GAME BETWEEN EXETER CHIEFS AND CORNISH PIRATES FEELS LIKE A VERY SPECIAL ONE IN MANY WAYS.

It will be the first time the two sides have met in a competitive fixture since 2010, when the Chiefs won promotion to the Premiership.

Prior to that date there were many classic battles between the West Country rivals as they battled to get out of National Division One, and I thoroughly enjoyed reporting on them for BBC Radio Devon, the Western Morning News or local Sunday Independent for many seasons.

The one that will stick in the craw for many Chiefs fans is the EDF Trophy final at Twickenham in April 2007, which the Pirates won 19-16, when the Cornishmen’s line-up boasted the likes of Alberto di Bernardo, Vili Ma’asi, Adryan Winnan and Tim Cowley.

It was one in a long line of many Twickenham disappointments for the Chiefs until they finally broke that hoodoo by beating Wasps in the Premiership final 10 years later.

Of course, a lot has changed for both clubs since 2010.

The Chiefs have gone on a meteoric rise to the top of the club game, winning two Premiership titles and a European Champions Cup crown, while the Pirates have remained hugely frustrated with the failed Stadium for Cornwall project, which has put a major restriction on the height of their ambitions.

A watered-down stadium for Truro City, which the Pirates hope to also move into at some point, is now the plan, and building work has finally started.

Alan Paver and Gavin Cattle – who both played in that 2007 final against Exeter – have done a fantastic job for many years now keeping the team performing at a high level, often in the face of very

difficult off-the-field circumstances, and both of them deserve for all that hard work, loyalty and commitment to be rewarded at some point.

I did say in last week’s column that a successful World Cup in France in the next few weeks had never been more crucial to the sport – one where all the talk was about the quality of the rugby that was on show, and not tackle heights and red cards.

How stupid could I be! I knew I was clutching at straws.

If I was a match official, I would be embarrassed to be involved in rugby union at the moment, and that is no criticism of the officials. It would be like telling someone you are a taxman, traffic warden or estate agent!

Having missed last week’s game against Bristol Bears due to taking part in the Great North Run – or at least that was the plan until that was scuppered by car suspension problems – this will be my season’s opener at the beginning of my 21st year of commentating on the fortunes of the Chiefs.

Together with John Lockyer, it has always been a pleasure and privilege for both of us to bring the action into people’s homes/cars/workplaces, and I am sure this season will be no different.

*FIXTURES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

TICKETHUB.EXETERCHIEFS.CO.UK

2023/24 WOMEN’S FIXTURES

*FIXTURES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

TICKETHUB.EXETERCHIEFS.CO.UK

RED ROSES V CANADA WOMEN

SATURDAY 23 SEPTEMBER

KICK-OFF 14.30

EXETER CHIEFS V LONDON SCOTTISH

SATURDAY 30 SEPTEMBER

KICK-OFF 15.00

EXETER CHIEFS WOMEN V BRISTOL BEARS

SUNDAY 1 OCTOBER

KICK-OFF 15.00

WEST CENTRE

WEST wings

south stand centre

south stand wings

east terrace centre

east terrace wings

north terrace centre

north terrace wings

east stand upper wings

east stand upper centre

TICKETHUB.EXETERCHIEFS.CO.UK

WHAT’S ON AT SANDY PARK

WE HAVE A WHOLE HOST OF EVENTS COMING UP AT SANDY PARK TO TAKE UP US RIGHT UP TO CHRISTMAS!

THE CHRISTMAS LUNCH

We then bring together the Exeter Chiefs Foundation and Wooden Spoon Devon for this year’s Christmas Lunch on Thursday 14 December.

FIGHT NIGHT

We kick off with our fight night. Being held on Thursday 19 October, we are raising money for the Exeter Chiefs Foundation and The Royal Marines Charity.

The evening will feature bouts between some of the finest amateur fighters in the country as the Metropolitan Police Boxing Team come up against the Royal Marines.

You have the chance to be ringside for every punch as we combine a black-tie event with the thrills and spills of a top-class fight night. The evening will include a sumptuous three-course dinner.

Tickets are £85 per person or £800 for a table of 10.

SANDY PARK SESSIONS

It’s the night you’ve been waiting for…Sandy Park Sessions returns on Friday 17 November from 9pm! We have a superstar line-up of DJs bringing some of the best house and electronic dance music to the South West.

Mr C, The Shamen, Altern8 and Shadow Child will be playing, as well as highly respected producer and mixer, Tim Cullen.

We will also be welcoming ex-Exeter Chief, Sam Hill, for the first time, with favourites Hatchett and El Barco returning to Sandy Park.

Don’t miss out on what promises to be an epic night. Can’t wait to see you there! Tickets start at £12.

Join us at this fun-filled festive afternoon to celebrate the Christmas season in style. We are thrilled to be joined by former England prop and TV pundit David Flatman as our host for the afternoon.

The event will start at 12pm. Guests will be treated to a sumptuous festive three-course meal. We recommend you book your carriages for 8pm.

Tickets are £85 per person or £800 for a table of 10.

COMEDY NIGHT

Exeter’s biggest comedy night returns on Friday 10 November from 7pm. Comedians are to be confirmed, but we are working with the Comedy Surgery, so we are guaranteed a line-up of five top comics to keep you laughing all night.

You can pre-order food with Thai green chicken curry, green vegetables and wild rice on the menu and a tofu vegetarian option available. Please note there will no food available on the night unless pre-ordered.

This is event is over to over-18s only.

Tickets are £20 with food or £12 without. If you want to bring some friends, a table of 10 with food is £180 or £100 without.

CHRISTMAS PARTIES 2023

Enquire today to make sure you don’t miss out on hosting your Christmas Party at Exeter’s premier events centre. Prices start at £32 per person.

CLUB PARTNERS

WELCOME AND THANK YOU TO ALL OUR PARTNERS FOR THE 2023/24 SEASON

KEY CLUB PARTNERS

KEY SPONSORS

OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS